Everybody hurts, that’s why September is Pain Awareness Month. Ensuring such awareness exists in the workplace guarantees your workers are able to be healthy and productive.

Pain Awareness in the Workplace

The best way to stay aware is to spread the word. Try not to gasp, but your employees may not know Pain Awareness Month exists. Talking to your workers and handing out pain awareness toolkits made by the ACPA can start up a proactive conversation.

Taking advantage and sharing such resources can assist your workers who may be suffering from pain. To spice up the work week, consider holding a yoga class or other activities as a way for your workers to physically and mentally relieve pain.

To start, you can ask the employee if there is anything you can do. The Job Accommodation Network suggests a diverse set of ideas, such as allowing the use of a personal attendant or service animal at work, making the facility accessible, allowing longer breaks, reaching out to community services for guidance or providing access to a refrigerator. Chronic pain varies, but appropriate actions can be made to support your employees who experience chronic injuries.

Ways to Avoid Pain Around Your Office

There are numerous ways you can avoid pain around your company. Encourage workers to eat lunch outside for some much-needed fresh air or suggest your workers take brief walks to loosen up. Make sure your employees are taking breaks by setting up a break schedule. If an injury does occur, be active in reporting accidents. Practical ideas like replacing a computer chair with an exercise ball can also help with back pain and overall stiffness. By implementing safety guidelines and encouraging healthy choices, your employees will be able to focus on their work goals instead of feeling like their body is crying for help.

Advocating for pain awareness in a work environment should not only happen during Pain Awareness Month, but every day. Keep your workers healthy and pain-free this Pain Awareness Month and for the months to come.

Pain Awareness Month: How to Keep Your Office Pain-Free was last modified: September 14th, 2017 by Kristy Keller

Kristy Keller is pursuing a bachelor's degree
in Communication with double minors in Integrated Marketing and Digital
Media, anticipated to graduate in May 2017. During her undergraduate studies
at Keystone College, Keller has interned in Madrid, Spain with Sodexo's sales
team, Walt Disney World, and also worked with United Concordia Dental's digital marketing department
in downtown Pittsburgh.
Published on the Highmark Health Blog, Keller
has a passion for wellness and writing. When writing isn't an option, you can
find her running cross country or concentrating on a yoga pose.